Hunger in America

The Missions Commission decided upon this year’s Fall Ethics Seminar’s topic, “Hunger in America”, because hunger has become a national emergency. Why, in a nation that has the means to feed everyone well and plentifully, are 49 million people not getting enough to eat? Not only does hunger hold us back today, but it will burden us for generations if we don’t take bold action to treat and prevent it.

Based on what the Bible says about people in need, doing our part to overcome hunger and poverty is crucial to religious integrity. Jesus addressed the question directly, as when he explained what it means to be righteous:

“37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”

— Matthew 25:37-40 (New Revised Standard Version)

We can share Christian faith in God’s love by working for social change in the name of the Lord and making it clear that we strive against poverty as one aspect of God’s gracious presence in the world.

Christians of all stripes, and maybe Baptists in particular, have a long history of fighting over competing issues of morality: we argue with each other, with other religions, with the culture at large–seemingly with anyone and everyone who happens to disagree. Understandably, this can be confusing and off-putting to folks. But while we debate the finer points of theology, there are people hurting all around us. There is nothing to debate about the damage that hunger does, to individuals, to families, and to our society as a whole. The escape of millions of people from extreme poverty is something wonderful, even sacred. We at Ravensworth have no doubt that the exodus from hunger and poverty is God moving in our time. Being part of it is important to our spiritual life and to the future of our nation. Best of all, it is possible. It is a great task, but it is a task worth doing, and a task that can be accomplished.

Join us on the dates below to find out how you can help.

Sunday, October 13, 12:30 pm (lunch provided*), Status of programs to combat hunger in the U.S.